Compendium : continuing education for veterinarians
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Our recent pharmacokinetic studies with lidocaine patches in dogs and cats have found that plasma concentration of lidocaine following patch application tends to be low. Lidocaine patch application can be a powerful analgesic adjunct to existing analgesic agents, including opioids and NSAIDs, in a multimodal pain management scheme. This article reviews the pros and cons of lidocaine patch application and its clinical use in dogs and cats. A comparison of lidocaine and fentanyl patches is included.
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Hypernatremia is potentially life threatening and is caused by imbalances in water and sodium that occur from either water loss or sodium gain, often in the presence of inadequate water intake. The resultant hyperosmolarity, if acute or severe, can result in rapid shifts of water from the intracellular to extracellular space, causing intracranial hemorrhage and neurologic changes. Correction of hypernatremia through inappropriate fluid therapy can result in even more severe complications, ranging from cerebral edema to coma and death. This article reviews the pathophysiology, causes, classification, treatment, and prognosis of hypernatremia.
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Hypothyroidism is a common endocrinopathy in dogs but is rare in cats. Lymphocytic thyroiditis and idiopathic thyroid atrophy are common causes of this condition. ⋯ This disease can be managed with synthetic hormone supplementation and has an excellent prognosis. Myxedema coma is a rare and potentially fatal manifestation of severe hypothyroidism that can be successfully treated using intravenous levothyroxine.